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Introduction
The British government leftbehind the university system in India, which was modeled on their system of education, it followed Macaulay's minute system model. According to this system student was assessed at the end of each year, for a three years undergraduate course. This assessment was done by a university level examination to assess the student's comprehensive grasp of the subject matter. Until now, this system is followed in most of the universities in India.
The "Semester System" was first introduced in the Howard University in the year 1636. In India, it was first introduced in the Agricultural university of Assam in 1959. Looking to the success of semester system in Agriculture University, the IIX has also introduced the system. Later on, the different educational policies also recommended this system for better learning of the student. The Education Commission (1964-66) has stressed the need for improvement of teaching and evaluation in higher education allowing flexibility and freedom to the teachers and students. NPE (1986) has also emphasized on continuous and comprehensive evaluation, introduction of semester system from the stage in a phased manner and use of grades in place of marks.
Thus, it has been recommended that, the semester system that promises the necessary reforms in university level. It can be said, there is satisfaction on the part of students and teachers due to continuous assessment and feedback.
Here author would like to discuss concept and nature of annual system, demerits of annual system, concept and nature of semester system in Indian context and special reference to MSU Baroda, advantages of semester system and important aspects of semester system.
Concept and Nature of Annual System
In an annual system a prescribed syllabus is taught over a year, in other words a vast curriculum is squeezed in to a year. As a result, only surface transaction of the curriculum takes place. Moreover, educators are sort of time to transact the syllabus, students run sort of time to learn the syllabus thoroughly, and a comprehensive exam is conducted at the end of the academic year.
Kumar (2003) also favours this and added that actual instruction period remains between Independence Day and Republic day.
Demerits of the Annual System
Study of Akhtar (1980) has suggested ten demerits;...